 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-09-13 22:43
On the auction site the title says: "BUFFET CRAMPON R13 Prestige A-Tube B-Tube Hard Case Crampon Prestige Clarinet RC"
Looking at the pictures, the A has theR13 Prestige emblem BUT there is no left Ab/Eb lever and there is no post for that lever. As far as I know Prestige (R13 or RC) always had the left Ab/Eb key, small (old style) first, then longer one.
Can the A be a true Prestige without that key? Or, it is a fake?
Thanks
Post Edited (2025-09-15 20:43)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-14 03:22
It's genuine - they're both genuine and the A has the older style adjustable thumbrest that was standard on Prestiges.
Maybe back then they could be ordered with or without the LH Ab/Eb key before it became standard on Prestiges, just as a regular RC/R13 could be ordered with one.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-09-14 03:44
Do the serial #'s match on the upper and lower joints?
At least since the 90's, the prestige models all had the additional Eb/Ab key. Even if it was removed, there was a 3rd lever post/screw on that side (as you noted). My *assumption* is that the A lower joint was a replacement with a standard R13/RC lower joint and the serial #'s won't match.
Also, the A lower joint has a fixed thumb rest, not an adjustable one. This would have me believe that it's a standard RC/R13 lower joint.
I'd be curious to have the seller send you a pic of the lower joint A tenon cork. Does it have a metal ring around it as the upper joint does? That would confirm if it's a prestige lower joint or a standard lower joint.
So I'd have to ask the seller the question about the A clarinet's lower joint.
Doesn't mean it won't play well - just that it may not be exactly as advertised.
I won't say it's a 'fake' (as we've seen on sites like AliExpress), but it may not be exactly as it says it is.
EDIT: I'm looking at the listing now. The fixed thumb rest is on the Bb, not the A. There is a pic of the lower joints with the serial numbers on the lower joint and they appear to match.
They are in Japan, so they may have had different specs there?
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #4 reeds
Post Edited (2025-09-14 03:52)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2025-09-14 10:46
>> Maybe back then they could be ordered with or without the LH Ab/Eb key before it became standard on Prestiges, just as a regular RC/R13 could be ordered with one. <<
They could, at least based on the one Prestige clarinet I know that was ordered this way and is 100% original. Whether it was a one off (or close to it) or anyone could simply order it this way, I don't know.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-14 14:12
The thumbrests could've been swapped over as the player was using the Bb far more and wanted that feature.
Back in the '80s and into the '90s you could still order any keywork configuration on pro level Buffet clarinets from the standard 17 keys and 6 rings up to 20 keys and 7 rings.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2025-09-15 22:45
watch out for the tariff...that will cost you an extra $2250 if you ship those to the US from japan!
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